The Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel in Malta

March 31, 2018

Amy Trumpeter

I’m here in the beautiful Melleiha Bay hotel of Malta, overlooking the bay, with Catholic Churches and historical forts in the near distance. With the currency being Euros, the plug sockets being British and English being widely spoken, I nominated Malta as one of my top places for solo female travel. Travel in Malta is easy and rewarded for solo travellers and couples or groups alike.

About Malta

It’s amazing to learn how this small island (just 27km long) has so many cultural influences due to being an island, and consequently numerous invasions. The food and languages combine Anglo Saxon, French and Arabic influences to name a few.

Limestone is the main rock of Malta and their main resource, so the architecture is predominantly a soft yellow colour which beautifully compliments the lush green countryside in the rainy months.

Tourism is a big industry here in Malta and the Maltese are absolutely used to travellers and also immigration.

Travel in Malta – Basic Facts

Currency? Euro €

Language? Maltese but English widely spoken.

Drinkable tap water? Yes, but tastes metallic, so I buy bottled!

Cost of a coffee? Approx

Disabled friendly? Buses drop and discounts available at attractions if you take proof of disability. Main attractions are not always wheelchair friendly, but many are – check before you go.

When to go to Malta

If you are travelling for the weather, go between late April and early October. However, going slightly off season may mean that your holiday is cheaper and that the interesting sites are not over crowded. If you are going out of season (November to March), be sure to pack a waterproof and wind proof jacket – the island can get rather wet and windy!

Bus Travel in Malta

As the island is so small, it is very well served with a decent bus system and you can get anywhere on the island on public transport. Bus travel in Malta is easy and regular, the buses also run on Sundays despite it being a predominantly Catholic country. Bus journeys costs between 1.50€ and 3€, but make sure that you have the correct change where possible. Some drivers will give you change for a 5€ or 10€ note, but not all, and most will refuse to change a 20€.

The airport bus routes are indicated by an ‘X’. Popular bus routes include:

Ferry and Boat Travel in Malta

For the ferry to Gozo, take the bus to CIRKEWWA (Malta main island) where the ferries go to MGARR (Gozo island) around every hour and a half (summer). Ferries can be less frequent during low season – make sure that you check times before you leave and don’t miss the last ferry back if you are staying on Malta’s main island!

From Valetta, there are ferries to SLEIMA and BURGU (Three Cities area) for 1.50€ per adult or 0.50€ per child each way and discounts for senior citizens and Blue Badge holders.

How long to Stay in Malta and suggested Malta Itinerary

Three days is enough to see the capital and a couple of other important sites such as Mdina if you are OK having a packed and rushed itinerary, but I recommend at least a week to travel in Malta. This should be enough for you to also include a visit to one of the prehistoric temple sites on the island and a ferry for a day trip over to Gozo.

Two weeks will give you more history and a more relaxed timetable. For a two week Malta itinerary, I suggest…

Day 1-3 Valetta

Day 4 Trip on the Three cities ferry to Vittoriosa

Day 5 Mdina (with catacombs or Cathedral tour plus Museum)

Day 6 Mosta Rotunda

Day 7 One of the prehistoric temple complexes such as Tarxien or Hagar Qim

Day 8-9 Melleiha Bay for resting and re-cooperation including Melleiha Bay beach. Possible afternoon in the Aquarium in Bugibba.

Day 10-13 Three days on Gozo

Day 14 Return to airport to fly home

Cheap All-Inclusive Holidays Malta

Most hotels offer an all inclusive option, which as a backpacker on a budget, I don’t often recommend. However, we got a particularly good deal for just under £90 extra for all inclusive, which meant all breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks. So it actually worked out at around £12 extra per day for ALL of my food.

Mdina – The Ancient Capital

The ancient walled city of Mdina demonstrates Malta’s Arabic influences as the streets are as winding as some of the ancient cities of Morocco. There was a city on this site since the 8th Century when Phoenician (ancient Greek) settlers built a city called Maleth on the highest central point of Malta.

In Mdina, make sure that you look out for the intricate doors and door knobs on the beautiful buildings. Stop off at don’t miss St. Paul’s Cathedral, the National Museum and Natural History and the catacombs!

Mosta Rotunda

Visit Mosta to go inside the Mosta Rotunda to see the third largest unsupported Church dome in the world (after St Peter’s Church in Rome and St Paul’s in London).

Prehistoric Temples of Malta

There are 13 prehistoric temple sites on Malta, 6 of which are recognised as UNESCO world heritage sites. I recommend visiting some of the best preserved temples such as Hagar Qim or Tarxien. If you are heading over to Gozo, visit Ggantija, the oldest of the temple complexes of Malta.

Gozo

Head over to the island of Gozo by ferry and head to the capital (Victoria) trek to the Citadel and St George’s Basilica. If you are interested in religious architecture and archaeology, you might want to also visit the Xewkija Rotunda and The museum of Archeology (inside the Citadel).

Top tours in Malta and Gozo

As I’ve mentioned, both Malta and Gozo are very tourist friendly. If you’re looking for an easier option that taking local buses, and you’d like to get more historical and archaeological information from a guide, there are several excellent tours that you can book either through your hotel or online with Viator.

Malta is a Hollywood of the Mediterranean and has featured in Gladiator and World War Z. If you are a Game of Thrones fan go for the Private Game of Thrones tour of Malta – one of the best rated Valetta tours on Viator!

Valetta Tours

Explore Malta’s capital city of Valetta with a local guide…

Or for a private walking tour of Valetta…

Visit two out of the three historical cities from Valetta – Vittoriosa and Senglea with a local guide.

Heart of Malta – Tours of Mosta and Mdina

This tour will allow you to see the highlights of Mosta and Mdina plus the craft village all in one day trip:

Where am I next?

August

Czech Republic

Nov

Mauritius

Oct

UK

My name is Amy and I am a traveller and blogger with 15 years of travel experience across 4 continents. I have a degree in Religions and Theology and and MA in South Asian Studies from Manchester University. I also have a BTEC in Social Media for Business and run www.trumpetermedia.com. I am here to help you to work remotely and travel the world! Please get in touch if you need anything.